Well… generally speaking, the higher the resolution, the less pixelated the game graphics. Depending on the amount of detail, it can be easier to spot a secret door, for instance.
I haven't played G3, though.

Try using a 640x480 or 800x600 resolution in G3 and compare that to 1600x1200 - if you still don't notice a difference there's something wrong with either the game, your monitor or your eyes.

A higher resolution than 1024x768 or 1280x1024 usually doesn't change all that much though - other than the framerate. A high resolution with a big screen is often nice in strategy games and isometric RPGs though, as those often allow you to view a larger part of the map due to the additional screen real estate (Infinity Engine games, Pharaoh, OpenTTD, Europa Universalis, etc).

If the game support wide-screen resolution, than using it (on a monitor that supports it) will result in different portion of game world being rendered on the screen (at least that is how I understand it). If I recollect correctly, I was reading reviews of add-on boxes being able to provide one to two and one to four display conversion resulting in very wide screen and (if the game/drivers support it) in seeing much wider portion of the world. Obviously this may mean a lot for (for example) multiplayer FPS.

Thanks for all the feedback. Some good points here. I can see how on isometric games you get a wider view of the world. i will also try Kaziklubey's idea of comparing two extreme resolutions (one really low and one really high) to see if I notice differences.

— If I'm right but there is no wife around to acknowledge it, am I still right?

Originally Posted by Korplem
I wouldn't necessarily say it is about field of vision. It's more about the clarity of the image. The higher the resolution the sharper the image will be.

It really depends on how the game developer implement it. Actually many games will change your field of view with changes to resolution. Some will not and then it is only about sharpness of the screen.

I guess my question wasn't such a 'noob' question afterall… as it seems there is a lot of 'gray' in this area.

Originally Posted by Danicek
It really depends on how the game developer implement it. Actually many games will change your field of view with changes to resolution. Some will not and then it is only about sharpness of the screen.

I guess it's this inconsistency that is what makes things so confusing. for example with G3 playing at 1024 x 768 vs. 1600 x 1200 I really notice no difference in anything at all really except that some things appear a little 'crisper' at the higher resolution… but I really have to scrutinize to notice it.

— If I'm right but there is no wife around to acknowledge it, am I still right?

Yes, I clearly remember that (as an example of different approach) Diablo II supported two resolutions (problem only after the datadisk, not sure but I somehow recollect this was added and not supported from begining).
When using the higher resolution in Diablo II, larger portion of the world was viewable.

What about those older games that use 3D glasses such as the ELSA revelator? - the visual perspective is dramatically altered, i would imagine some 'aspect' problems viewing on a widescreen for example - or may cancel-out to normal?